Police are now issuing alerts for any resident owning newer cars. Several incidents within Chicago’s North and West side neighborhoods have shown a significant increase in carjacking crimes and catalytic convertible thefts.
Police recently advise drivers to be on the lookout when sitting in their vehicles or exiting the car. In a series of recent armed carjackings authorities suspect a group of four men in their late to early twenties. Police suspect the men for one of the seven armed robberies reported in succession within 24 hours from April 10, 2023, Monday morning to the following day.
The accounts of carjacking happened at:
- 11 p.m. April 24 on the 3600 block of North Wolcott.
- 3:15 a.m. April 25 on the 5900 block of North Ridge.
- 4:30 a.m. April 25 on the 2800 block of North Wolcott.
- 5:10 a.m. April 25 on the 600 block of 18th Street.
- 6:30 a.m. April 25 on the 7200 block of North Clark Street.
- 9:10 p.m. April 25 on the 1100 block of West Wrightwood Ave.
- 9:30 p.m. April 25 on the 900 block of North Western.
Neighborhood Accounts of Carjacking
Residents are asked to be more aware of suspicious activity as an armed robbery at 9:10 p.m. included a woman forced out of her car at gunpoint when pulling out of a parking lot.
A nearby resident confirms hearing the woman shouting for help. “All of a sudden I started hearing screaming coming from down Racine and at first I thought it was a neighbor just getting a bit rowdy, but as it got closer, you could definitely hear a lot of fear.”
After the attack, the carjackers used the victim’s 2023 Chevy Malibu. The scene was caught on nearby surveillance cameras as the suspects are shown driving for some time before exiting the stolen vehicle and driving away in a nearby waiting car.
Another attack involved suspects firing a gun at the back of a victim as he fled, however, there are no reports of injuries. Residents within the neighborhood are immediately taking action as many feel that despite living on the North side of Chicago, with a statistically lower crime rate compared to other areas, they are “no longer insulated” from crimes such as these.
“I mean, we consider this to be a safe neighborhood. We walk our dog, we walk here all the time and to have this happen literally right outside your house in this neighborhood is frightening at one point and very unfortunate,” remarks resident Walter Stadler.
“I mean, I’m not much older than that so I live around the corner so it’s really frightening to hear,” neighbor Lauren Devine said. “It’s definitely changed our life. My husband doesn’t want me to take the dog out when it’s not light out. I have a garage so I won’t be parking my car on the street.”
At the sight of multiple calls for carjacking, 26th Alderman Roberto Maldonado calls for more police activity. Maldonado recognizes the lack of numbers within the police and opts to also install more surveillance cameras.
“If we have massive numbers of cameras spread throughout all the neighborhoods equally, then we may see a diminution,” Maldonado states.
Safety Measures to Follow
Police implore drivers to also take extra safety measures. This includes installing anti-lock mechanics onto the wheels of cars. Installing visible locks on the inside of the cars works as a deterrent against possible thefts.
Other than an increase in carjacking catalytic convertible thefts are also a big issue for any resident.
April 27, 2023, a video was taken of two thieves brazenly stealing a catalytic converter around 11:30 a.m. in broad daylight. The men struck near Newcastle Avenue and Addison Street, showing no signs of rushing as it only took seconds to cut the device from the vehicle.
“I think because it’s so quick, they know that they’re going to do what they’re going to do and get out of there,” says the witness.
To prevent car catalytic converter theft police employ others to install anti-theft devices such as steel plates. Many residents have also taken to spray painting their catalytic converter with high-temperature automotive paint to alert scrap recyclers to look for VIN etchings.
Written by Brielle R. Buford
Sources:
ABC7 News: Woman carjacked by armed group in Lincoln Park, Chicago police say
ABC7 News: Chicago police issue alert about string of carjackings
CBS Chicago: Witness catches catalytic converter thieves in the act in broad daylight on Northwest Side
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Tony Juliano‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Chucka_nc’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
